Photogram printer with a point light source and arcuate reflector



Nov. 20, 1951 D FQUSEK 2,575,621

PHOTOGRAM PRINTER WITH A POINT LIGHT SOURCE AND ARCUATE REFLECTOR Filed May 28, 1946 Fig. I. 27

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11 W A} orney Patented Nov. 20, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT PHOTOGRAM PRINTER WITH A POINT LIGHT SOURCE AND ARCUATE RE- FLECTOR Frank D. Fousek, Washington, D. 0.

Application May 28, 1946, Serial No. 672,865

My said invention relates to a photogram printer, and it is an object of the same to provide simple and effective means for the making of photograms, i. e., a form of photograph usually made by laying an abject on a sheet of sensitized photographic paper or a photographic plate, exposing to light, and then developing, fixing and washing as in the case of ordinary contact prints.

Another object is to provide means for the making of photograms embodying new and unusual effects in the way of shadowing or relief when opaque or partly opaque objects are being used as the objects of the photogram.

Another object is to provide means by the use of which the image of the shadow pattern may be viewed while being composed and before making exposure, all without disturbing the article or articles making up the pattern to be reproduced in a photogram.

Still another object is to provide means by the use of which any number or identical prints may be made of a particular subject without any danger of disturbance of the pattern or arrangement of the subject or subjects, and without any need for care or circumspection to prevent disarrangement of a pattern once set up.

Referring to the drawings, which are made a part of this application and in which similar parts are indicated by similar characters of reference:

Fig. 1 is a cross-section of the device of my invention, and

Fig. 2, a section at right-angles to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3, a view showing one product of the invention, and

Fig. 4, a view showing another product.

In the drawings, reference character In indicates the rear member of a framework or housing of any suitable or desirable character, having also in the present embodiment of the invention bottom frame members ll, [2, l3 and I4; uprights l5, !5; front rear members id, id; upper side members I! and i8. A table 20 is set into notches formed in the front of part Ill and in the upper portions of parts l6, l1, l8 and I9, this table being transparent and preferably being made of clear glass.

Underneath the table there is a frame 22 carrying a shelf of ground glass or equivalent material 23, said frame being here shown as being hinged at its rear side to the rear members is and [9, as by means of hinges 2 1. Ground glass is used here to show a clear shadow of objects placed on the table, which shadow is viewed by the operator by means of a mirror 24 that is supported below the table on the box-like outer framework in an inclined position such that objects on the table may be viewed conveniently by an operator at the front of the printer through the open space between legs I5, IS. The ground glass is mounted in any suitable frame, which is preferably hinged at the rear as shown, but it is 5 Claims. (CI. -73) to be understood that the frame may be constructed and arranged in any desirable or convenient manner, so that it can be positioned to receive shadows of objects on the table to be seen in the mirror, or can be moved away from the table in order that a sheet of sensitized paper or film may be placed in the frame. The ground glass sheet is preferably positioned with its ground side facing upward. Any conventional catch or latch may be applied to the frame for holding it in its upper position.

A curved reflector 26 is mounted over the table, as by having its ends engaged in recesses in or about the margins of the table 20, the topmost part of the curved reflector resting on the upper end of member Ill. The reflector may have either a polished or a matte under surface, e. g. it may be made of polished or grained metal or other material, but I prefer a white cardboard surface as giving the best results. Or the surface could be faceted, or different parts could be made of different materials to produce different effects, as indicated by the black strips 30.

A source of illumination, such as an incandescent electric light bulb 21 is supported between the table and the reflector by means of a bracket 28 having a slot cooperating with a bolt 29 having a wing nut for clamping the bracket in position at any height permitted by the length of the slot therein, but it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to any particular method of adjustment of the light, which may be adjusted laterally, vertically, or about an arc, etc.

In the use of the device of my invention a preferred mode of operation is to turn on the light and then to arrange on the table one or more objects in any desired arrangement. Since the shadows of the objects on the table appear on the ground glass directly below it and are reflected in the mirror 24 the design may be seen exactly as it will appear on the completed photogram and can be studied and rearranged to secure the best efiects. The light, of course, casts sharp edged shadows of the objects on the table down upon the plate 23. The smaller the source of light, the better the definition. The source is referred to herein as a point source of light to emphasize this fact, although, of course, there is no such thing as an absolute point source of light. The curved reflector directs the light about the sides and lower portions of objects on the table 29, thus giving delicately shaded tones within the outlines of the objects. Thus beautifully shaded efiects may be produced in making photograms of such objects as spheres, cubes, figurines, eggs and the like, giving the impression of three-dimensional modeling in the images thus produced.

Obiems may be supported at different levels above the table to vary the effects produced, and the height of the light may be changed for like reasons such changes varying the size of the shadows and of their reproductions on the sensitive sheet or plate. Even flat objects such as sheets of paper will have light directed about their edges if elevated slightly above the glass table, and thus their image will show graded tones in their shadows.

After the operator is satisfied with the design the light is switched off and a sheet of sensitized photographic paper or other light-sensitive device is placed on the plate 23 inframe 22, the frame being lowered for that purpose and then raised so as to hold the sheet stationary in a horizontal position. Exposure is made by turningon the light, and. the time of exposure may be varied according to the strength of the light, the nature of objects being treated, the sensitivity. of the paper, etc., as will be understood by the user, who must determine the time by experiment. After the exposure the print is treated in ordinary manner by developing, fixing and washing.

'The graded tones may be within the outlines of the primary shadow of the object, as cast by a ground glass shelf below the supporting table for holding a light-sensitive sheet, said shelf being hinged at its rear edge adjacent to the rear side of the supporting table, and an inclined mirror below said plate in position to reflect toward said opening an image of the objects on said table.

2. A photogram printer comprising a frame having an opening at one side, a light-transmitting table mounted in the frame for supporting objects to be photographed, a member above said table, said member having a semi-cylindrical reflecting surface extending at its opposite edges down to the surface of said supporting table, a point source of light in the space between the table and the reflecting surface approximately at the highest part of said reflecting surface, adjustable supporting means for said light source, a translucent shelf for supporting a light-sensitive sheet below said supporting table and an inclined mirror below said table, said mirror being located so as to permit the operator to view the images on said table through'the shelf.

the direct light from the source of illumination,

but such tones may also be outside the primary shadow, examples of each type of photogram as made by theprinter of my invention being shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Objects such as sheets ,of paper, which may or may not be variously folded or crumpled, translucent or partly translucent masses, linear objects either straight or bent, and many other subjects may be combined into most interesting patterns that result in designs never before had by a printing operation, it being understood that still further variations of effects can be had by changing the position of the sourceof light, by varying the height of objects above the tableby changing the position of an object on table 29 and in other ways.

After a subject or design has once been set up any number of duplicate printsmay be made by merely inserting fresh sheets of sensitized paper and repeating the steps of the operation. It "will be'understood that photographic film may be used instead of paper, and that the process may be used for many purposes, such as for the production of prints for exhibition and framing, to produce designs for advertising illustrations, placards, menu covers, greeting cards, textiles, murals, etc. Colored prints may be made by making multiple exposures on color process paper or film,'using lights or filters of different colors for each exposure. It will be understood that many changes may be made in the devices herein disclosed, all without departing from the spirit of the invention; and therefore I do not limit myself to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification,but only as indicated in the appended claims. For example, the reflector may be hemispherical or of any other shape that will perform the desired function.

I claim:

1. A photogram printer comprising a'frame having an opening at one side, a, light-transmitting'horizontal table mounted in the frame and providing a supporting surface for objects, a semi-cylindrical reflecting member above said table, said member being open at its ends and having between its ends a reflecting inner surface extending at opposite sides down to said supporting surface, a point source of light above said table approximately at the highest point of said reflecting surface, means whereby the light source may be adjusted relatively to said surface,

3. A photogram printer comprising a frame having an opening at one side, a light-transmitting table in said frame for supporting objects to be photographed, a member above said table,

. said member having an arcuate reflecting surface extending down approximately to the surface of said table, a point source of light above the table and close to the highest point of said reflecting surface, adjustable means for supporting said light source, means for supporting a light-sensitive sheet below said table, and an inclined mirror below said table so located as to project toward said opening an image of the objects on said table.

4. A photogram printer comprising a frame,

' a light-transmitting table in said frame for supporting objects to be photographed, a member above the table, said member having an arcuate reflecting surface extending down approximately to the surface of said table, a point source of light above the table and close to the highest point of said reflecting surface, and means for supporting a light-sensitive sheet below the table. 5. A photogram printer comprising a frame,

. a light-transmitting table in said frame for supporting objects to be photographed, a member" above the table, said member having an arcuate reflecting surface extending down approximately to the surface of the table, a point source of light above the table and close to the highest point of said reflecting surface, adjustable means for sup porting said light source, and means for supporting a light-sensitive sheet below said table.

FRANK D. FOUSEK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

